Friday, July 01, 2011

Gourmet Cooking with Chef Eric Low - OurCommunity.sg - PH

PhotoHunt theme : Busy

Gourmet Cooking with Chef Eric Low

It's been quite some time since I attended a course at the local community centres due to my busy schedule. I receive frequent emails and texted messages from the administrators about courses but with the newly launched mobile portal OurCommunity.sg, it allows residents like me to access up-to-the-minute information about courses, activities and facilities, interest groups and food outlets via my smartphone. So convenient!

I was delighted there would be a Penang Assam Laksa and other nonya delights course taught by Chef Eric Low at Tampines West Community Centre on 30 June 2011. Although it was an hour from my house by bus, I signed up for the course.

There were 13 participants, 12 ladies and a guy. While most of them are residents living nearby, several like me travelled from other parts of the island to learn from Chef Eric. There was a domestic helper who is a regular of Chef Eric's cooking courses. She has learnt quite a number of dishes and is churning out yummy dishes for her Mam's weekly party. Cool!

Lots of questions to ask ...........

With so many like-minded people in a room, very soon we were bantering, sharing cooking tips and info on where to buy what, as if we have known one another for years. A few even gave me their contact numbers so we can have companionship when participating in future courses. Such a course certainly brings people together, bridging communities, fostering new friendships and creating stronger bonds.

ingredients used in Assam Laksa

Chef Eric has studied in the CIA, it's the Culinary Institute of America lah, not the intelligence agency. I used to pester my son to join this school in California so I could live there for a while. haha... Eric is also from SHATEC and currently works with Nestle. His passion for food is contagious.

His dishes are simple yet tasty using ingredients that are easily available at the wet market. The delivery of the know-how is clear. Also, he offers many cooking tips and generous portions for food sampling.

What we learnt at this course :

1) Penang Assam Laksa

2) Inche Kabin (Penang Nonya Fried Chicken)

3)Durian Flavoured Fresh Tapioca Cake

Many of the regulars bought containers to bring the food samplings back. I finished every bit of mine. :P

One of the few local chefs trained at the Culinary Institute of America, he was an Executive Sous Chef on board one of the world's largest privately own super yachts catering to dignitaries, Hollywood celebrities and prominent business leaders.

I hope to cook on board a vessel too.

Bet you are going to cook Assam Laksa often since it's one of your favourite dishes. :D

You managed to learn quite a lot in a short amount of time. :)It's a lovely idea to have community courses. I don't think that there is anything like that over here. We can attend Evening Classes or Night School ... these are adult courses set up in local schools in children's classrooms or colleges. I did quite a few of these when I was in my teens and twenties but it was shorthand, speaking in front of others and that sort of thing .. not really fun stuff like flower arranging, painting and pottery .. the sort of thing that was tempting but there never appeared to be any time to do this sort of activity.